M. Cadet's invention is as follows: In a glass tube or tube of elder, is enclosed a match covered with a mixture of chlorate of potassa and sulphur; above which is fixed a small glass bulb containing sulphuric acid. This bulb has a small stem of glass similar to that of the candle cracker, to stick it by into the composition. This match is placed above the vent or touch hole, and retained there by a socket of lead. A spring, to which a small hammer is attached, is fixed to the gun, and is extended and kept in that position by a hook or bolt. When this is pushed, the spring is unhooked, and by recovering itself gives a blow with the hammer which breaks the glass ball, and the acid falls directly on the composition. This is then inflamed and the fire is communicated to the match, and from the match to the gunpowder.
A small portion of sugar mixed with the chlorate of potassa and sulphur, will ensure the composition to inflame with more certainty; although M. Cadet mentions only the hyper-oxymuriate and sulphur. If some of this composition, after the priming fuse is charged, be put in the cup of the fuse, a drop of sulphuric acid will inflame the fuse.
Sec. III. Of Quick Matches.
The etoupille of the French is the same as quick match, which is used to communicate fire in particular in military works, to priming tubes and other fuses. We have noticed in a former article the preparation of the matches of communication used in Fire-works, and the mode of forming leaders for the purpose of conveying fire to the different parts of a fixed or moveable piece. It will be sufficient, therefore, to notice the preparation of what is usually called quick match. These matches are made, according to Bigot, of five strands of fine cotton thread, soaked twenty-four hours in strong vinegar, and sometimes in brandy. They are then put, for twelve hours at least, in a liquid paste, made of meal gunpowder, and spirits, in which gum arabic and camphor are dissolved, in proportions to be given hereafter. To make them imbibe this completely, they are pressed with a pallet knife. They are then taken out and drawn gently between the fingers to discharge the excess, spread upon a table, and when half dry, dusted with meal-powder. The match is rolled by hand to make it round, hung upon a frame, furnished with pins, to dry, and afterwards cut into lengths of two and a half feet and tied up in bundles.
Materials necessary to make ten thousand Priming Tubes.
| Cotton thread, | 5 | lbs. |
| Meal-powder, | 3 | — |
| Vinegar, | 5 | quarts. |
| Brandy, or other spirits, | 3 | —— |
| Gum arabic, | 3 | ounces. |
| Camphor, | 1½ | —— |
When matches are required to communicate fire slowly, sulphur and beeswax, or rosin are added to meal-powder, in proportion to the degree of slowness required. The cotton, in this case, must have been soaked in water instead of spirits.
| Cotton, | 1 | lb. | 12 | ounces. |
| Saltpetre, | 1 | — | 8 | —— |
| Spirits of wine, | 2 | quarts. | ||
| Water, | 2 | —— | ||
| Isinglass, | 3 | gills. | ||
| Meal-powder, | 10 | lbs. |
The cotton is then taken out and laid in a trough, where some meal-powder, moistened with alcohol, is thoroughly wrought into it. This done, the cotton, being in strands, is taken out separately, and drawn through meal-powder and hung upon a line to dry.
If worsted in the place of cotton is employed, the proportions then are,